
Jamie Oliver, guys, he is stressing me out. Watching him work himself into a lather over how easy and no-excuses-quick his latest 15 Minute Meals are is becoming somewhat akin, for me, to watching a train crash. I love the man, can hardly bear to tear my eyes from the series (he has SO many good ideas), but I had to email a friend who's catching up on his previously achievable 30 Minute Meals with a capital letter-ed warning: DO NOT SUBJECT SELF TO 15 MIN MEALS. I feel strung out by everything: the clothes and squiffy new do he sports, the manic graphics, the music (which is frantic, bordering on the manical), the amount of kit required (the washing up!) and the mess - this week he trailed the juices of drained, tinned beans from sink to work bench all over the floor.
Health and Safety issue, much?
All of which made me draw a deep breath, sit down, switch off the telly and get thinking about how I would approach a 15 minute kitchen task. In fact, I'd probably put on some soothing music, spin it out to 30 and do so carefully or, as I often do, just doctor a tin of beans. Like this, which I did one night a few weeks ago. Over and out in 20 minutes. Phew.
a simple pot of beans
feeds 1-2
Gently, very gently, fry a head of just-pulled garlic, chopped carefully, attentively, in 4 tablespoons of olive oil with quite a lot of whole fresh sage leaves until it smells irresistible. Crush whole black peppercorns and add to the pan with, if you have it, a little of Gerwurtzhaus' Winter Soup Mix (I bought it and am hooked, no under-handed promo stuff going on here) and some salt, though not too much. Tip in a tin of borlotti beans, broth and all, with either some halved cherry tomatoes or a tin of tomatoes, drained so you are just using the fruit itself. Simmer over a low heat for 10 minutes, or until you can no longer wait. A pile of tender greens - rocket for preference - fills things out, and a slice of toast on delicate days is helpful, but a poached egg sitting on top is best, I think, of all.
Oh that was a much more relaxing 30 minute meal I do agree. I like to use dried beans and that always adds so much more time, but is worth it in the end.
Posted by: Africanaussie | November 30, 2012 at 10:33 AM
I understand that people are busy, but is there really any need to get a meal done in under 15 minutes? It seems like self-imposed stress to me! I mean, if you REALLY want to eat in under 15 minutes, without frantic pot-clanging, you could just make a salad. Personally I think I'm doing pretty good if dinner takes under an hour, but then again, cooking dinner is one of my favourites parts of the day. It's much more fun than work, anyway!
Posted by: Anna | November 30, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Well, that's tonight's dinner sorted..... how did I ever manage without you, baby?
Posted by: Shula | November 30, 2012 at 12:24 PM
What's "squiffy?" Should it be avoided at all costs? If my mister goes squiffy on me I'll shoot him with my salad shooter.
If anyone in my home wants a meal in 15 they can make it themselves. I still like Jamie O though. :)
Posted by: Limner | November 30, 2012 at 06:19 PM
Agree. Adore the man and many of his meals but watching him reminds me of drinking too many Finnish coffees.
Posted by: Wendy | December 01, 2012 at 09:00 PM
This will be my lunch. I have a tin of Eden butter beans. I like your 15 minute style.
Posted by: Denise | Chez Danisse | December 11, 2012 at 05:35 AM
i have a story from work to tell you about frantic...it's timely.
Posted by: alison | December 18, 2012 at 01:15 AM